News Archive
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Night Work Commences on I-580Fisher Industries will be working 24 hours a day to complete the temporary fill at the Galena Creek Bridge. This night work will continue through June 7, 2008. The completion of the fill is necessary to start construction on the Galena Creek Bridge. The fill will be approximately 200 feet wide at the top, 390 feet wide at the base, and 120 feet high. Fisher will move 380,000 cubic yard of material to complete the fill. Tree Removal on I-580 Freeway Extension Project BeginsFisher Industries, the prime contractor for the I-580 Freeway Extension Project, began tree removal on Wednesday, April 9, setting the stage for full-scale excavation work on the Project. Approximately 200 trees of varying sizes will be removed from just south of Parker Ranch Road to Davis Creek Park in Washoe Valley. NDOT officials obtained all necessary state and federal environmental and avian clearances to proceed with this tree removal operation. Some of the removed trees will be reused as a part of the landscaping and new trees will be planted on the Project. In other areas along the alignment the temporary arch fill to support Galena Creek Bridge construction will continue into early May. Overall, the Project is 25% complete. I-580 Project Donates Memorial RockFisher Industries, the prime contractor of the I-580 Freeway Extension Project, has donated a special boulder to Seelinger Elementary School in Carson City in remembrance of a third-grade student who passed away last year. The I-580 project team members have a close relationship
with the students and faculty at Seelinger Elementary School. Norm Bessler, Fisher Industries’ senior project manager for the I-580 project said, “It saddens us that a young child lost his life, but we are pleased to donate a beautiful rock in his remembrance. We hope this memorial will start the healing process for the students that attend Seelinger Elementary. ” Mr. Conley remembered his student with these words, “The student was a very positive, happy child who was well known throughout the school by staff and students. He touched many lives. He was curious and inquisitive, and would do anything for anybody, child or adult. This memorial rock will always remind us of his positive contributions to Seelinger Elementary School.” Mr. Conley is also grateful for NDOT’s support as an unofficial partner in education for the school. “[NDOT] has really given us many opportunities to assist in our students ’ learning.” Full Steam Ahead on the Galena Creek BridgeThe Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT), the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) have accepted a proposal to use a temporary land fill across Galena Creek to finish construction of the Galena Creek Bridge. This is a critical section of the I-580 Freeway Extension Project between Reno and Carson City. Fisher Industries, the prime contractor, plans to temporarily fill the Galena Creek canyon with 380,000 cubic yards of material. The fill will be approximately 200 feet wide at the top, 390 feet wide at the base, and 120 feet high. It will be 200 feet wide at the top of the canyon and 390 feet wide at the base of the creek. Once the fill is in place, falsework will be built on top of the fill to support the construction of the arch bridge. A temporary culvert is being constructed to allow Galena Creek to pass through the temporary fill. The culvert will be 44 feet wide and 22 feet high and is designed to convey a 100-year flood. Areas of the creek disturbed by this method of construction will be re-vegetated and restored once construction is complete. This construction method will reduce overall construction of the I-580 Freeway Extension Project by 100 working days. Community Field Meeting MinutesMembers of NDOT and the Fisher Industries Project Management Team for the I-580 Freeway Extension participated in a community field meeting with local residents on Wednesday, June 13, 2007, at the base of the Galena Creek Bridge located off Mini Lane, in Pleasant Valley, Nevada. This meeting provided the contractor an opportunity to show architectural renderings, discuss the earth fill’s structure, and benefits for constructing the Galena Creek Bridge. This meeting also allowed the public an opportunity to make comments and ask questions about the construction method to be used. Click here for a copy of the meeting minutes in PDF format. Community Field Meeting*must wear long pants and closed toe shoes Subject: The Galena Creek Bridge UNR Students visit I-580 ProjectOn March 28, 2007, four upper graduate engineering students and their professor, Dr. Robert J. Watters, from the University of Nevada-Reno (UNR) took a field trip to the I-580 Freeway Extension Project. They were on site to gather rock and soil samples around the Galena Creek Bridge as part of their class instruction. These students are in a Capstone course for geological engineering majors. This year’s design class requires knowledge of geology, slope stability, remote sensing, soil mechanics, groundwater, and other supporting classes from the general education curriculum. The Galena Creek Bridge south of Reno and a bridge near Boulder City in southern Nevada are just the right type of bridge structures for the focus of their studies this semester. Both of these bridges require significant and complex earth work, slope excavation and stabilization, and drainage. The course objective is to consider how the two bridge designs have been influenced by geology, seismology, rock and soil strength and how the geology has influenced the approach works (roads, embankments, slope stability, and hydrology). Once the project analysis is complete, it will be submitted to the Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) for their consideration. PROJECT ALERT!As the prime contractor, Fisher Industries, and sub-contractor C.C. Myers begin mobilization and staging on both the north and south side of the Mt. Rose Interchange, traffic construction zones have been implemented. Please drive safely as construction vehicles are entering and exiting at I-580/US 395 S and State Route 431 (Mt. Rose Interchange). In adherence with construction safety, NDOT and Fisher Industries have requested that the public not trespass on the project site by foot or vehicle. Former Governor Guinn Awards New Contract for I-580 Freeway: Project Resumes The State of Nevada awards a $393 million contract to Fisher Sand & Gravel
Company as prime contractor to complete the I-580 Freeway Extension
Project. The contract was approved to be awarded by the State Board
of Transportation
on November 6, 2006. Notice to Proceed has been scheduled for December
2006. The Nevada Department of Transportation is looking forward to
working with Fisher Sand & Gravel Company, and their bridge subcontractor,
C.C.
Myers, to complete the project and have it open to traffic in mid 2011. New Project Schedule for ConstructionFor full contractor information, click here.
NDOT Seeks New Contractor on I-580The Nevada Department of Transportation and Edward Kraemer & Sons (EKS), the contractor on the I-580 freeway project south of Reno, have reached an agreement whereby the contract will end due to technical disagreements associated with the completion of the Galena Creek Bridge. This allows NDOT to utilize another contractor to complete the work, which NDOT believes is in the best interests of the state. The $80 million contract to EKS was awarded in late 2003. The state has paid them $46 million for work already completed. EKS
has completed a majority of three of the four bridges including a substantial
portion of the Galena Creek structure. "This mutual agreement to end the contract will enable NDOT to move forward on completing this important regional project," NDOT former Director Jeff Fontaine said. The agreement to end the contract has been approved by the State Board of Transportation. Moving forward, NDOT is preparing to advertise the remaining work for the project to a list of pre-qualified contractors. This contractor will be responsible for the completion of the Galena Creek Bridge structure as designed by NDOT, and the remainder of the roadway facilities. NDOT will also take measures to secure the construction site and ensure that erosion control and other construction mitigation measures are addressed until a new contractor is on the project. Governor Guinn Honored by Time Magazine
Former Nevada Governor Kenny Guinn was honored by Time magazine as one of the top five governors in our nation for his "savvy leadership". The article was posted on Time’s on-line edition on November 13, 2005 and is in the November 21, 2005 print edition. On August 17, 2005, an NDOT convoy escorted Governor Guinn to the I-580 Freeway Extension Project, where he had his picture taken by a Time freelance photographer in front of the partially constructed pier 2 of the Galena Creek Bridge. The Galena Creek Bridge will be the longest concrete arch bridge of its type (pilot truss construction method) in the United States. Governor Guinn chose the I-580 Freeway Extension Project for his photo opportunity because of the magnitude of this project. Governor Guinn has also identified the I-580 Freeway Extension as one of the State’s top four priority projects. I-580 Team Visits Pleasant Valley Elementary School
Long before the first construction crew showed up on the I-580 Freeway Extension Project, many studies had been completed to assess impacts on the Pleasant Valley and Washoe Valley residents. With the help of those studies, the Design Team developed measures to reduce the impacts of the construction on that community. Not only was minimizing the construction impacts to these neighborhoods a critical objective, but the Team also wanted to educate the community about the benefits this project will bring to the region. The I-580 Team decided to pay special attention to the elementary school students in these neighborhoods. So, on October 19, 2005 the second visit was made to the 5th grade students at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. Matt Negrete, of CH2M HILL and Bob Luscombe, of Edward Kraemer & Sons (EKS) both bridge engineers, put their "best bridges" forward and discussed the techniques of bridge building with the students. These presentations benefit the students by educating them about what is happening on this monumental project in their own backyard, as well as what educational and career opportunities await them as they continue their education.
"It is great fun to talk to the school kids about this project- they are curious and insightful and provide the project team with a unique perspective. These talks reinforce what they're learning in school, as well as provide them with knowledge on future opportunities in math, science, engineering and construction," says Cindy Potter, the Project Manager for CH2M Hill's design team. The I-580 Freeway Extension Project and the Galena Creek Bridge present unique educational opportunities for all ages. Education and outreach activities like those at Pleasant Valley Elementary will continue to be a part of the community involvement by NDOT and all members of the design and construction teams. Pleasant Valley School Bus Shelter
As NDOT anticipates the erection of the Galena Creek Arch Pilot Truss this fall, there is another structure under construction for the Pleasant Valley community. Edward Kraemer and Sons (EKS), the prime contractor for the Galena Creek Bridge, is donating their time and supplies to construct a bus shelter for the children at Pleasant Valley Elementary School. The bus shelter will be located at the north side of the school, so that the students will have protection from the weather as they wait for their bus ride home. The bus shelter construction follows the successful classroom visits last June to the 5th and 6th grade classes. The Construction Crew and the Design Team (NDOT, EKS, and CH2M HILL) are committed to building the I-580 project in a way that is sensitive to the surrounding community and environment, including working with the local residents and schools to add value in the community. The construction of the bus shelter and the outreach program at the school provides the Contractor and Design Team an opportunity to mitigate some of the freeway construction impacts, and bring awareness to students about career opportunities in construction and engineering. EKS wanted to do more for the Pleasant Valley School, so after many conversations with the principal, faculty, and the Parent Teacher Association, a decision to build the bus shelter was made! The shelter is currently under construction and should be finished sometime in October, 2005 - just in time for the winter season. Time Lapse Video and Drive By Video Simulation Available for DownloadNew video is available for download displaying time lapse photography of the Galena Creek Bridge site. A video simulation can also be downloaded to view the completed project from the driver's perspective. I-580 Extension Project Named a Top Ten Road ProjectRoads & Bridges magazine has ranked the I-580 Freeway Extension Project as number six in its annual list of Top 10 Road Projects. Appearing in the October 2004 issue, the article highlights the fact that the Project will complete the freeway system as it goes through Washoe County. Other projects that made the Top 10 list include FDR Drive in New York City, the Dan Ryan Expressway in Chicago and the Katy Freeway in Houston. To see the whole article, visit Roads & Bridges. Recent Traffic Deaths Reinforce Need for I-580 Extension ProjectFive fatal traffic accidents along US 395 this year, the two most recent of which were within a 12-hour period August 2-3, reinforce the need for the I-580 extension project. Traffic volumes have increased along the entire stretch of US 395 including through Pleasant Valley, a residential neighborhood where the most recent deaths occurred. According to NDOT spokesman Scott Magruder, "U.S. 395 through Pleasant Valley and Washoe Valley gets about 37,000 vehicles a day and qualifies as the busiest rural highway in Nevada." (Reno Gazette-Journal, August 18, 2004). The highway has become increasingly dangerous as the number of drivers increase, many of whom drive well above the posted 50 mph speed limit through the area. Residents have become concerned about their safety as they pull out onto the highway, posting homemade signs asking drivers to slow down and obey the speed limit. More signs will soon be added in the hopes that traffic accidents will become a rare occurrence. According to the Reno Gazette-Journal (August 18, 2004), fatalities on Nevada roadsfor this year are already 10 percent higher than in 2003. Relief will arrive for motorists that use US 395 when the extension
of I-580 opens in mid 2009. The controlled access highway will not
only increase traffic safety and reduce commute times between Reno
and Carson City, but will also remove a substantial portion of the
traffic off of US 395 and away from the residential areas. In fact,
the project was designed to absorb current and future traffic for which
projections indicate that there will be an 80 percent increase in traffic
on US 395 between Reno and Carson City by 2015. However, until the
opening of the highway we ask that all drivers observe the speed limits
on US 395 and become more aware of other drivers and respectful of
the residential communities through which they commute. New Webcams Online - View Our Progress Live!Three webcams have been positioned at the Galena Creek Bridge construction site with live images of from the north, south, and east. The cameras are timed to take photo images on a regular basis. The frequency of these times ranges from every 15 to 30 minutes. The views allow you to zoom to see the details of ongoing construction. Click here to view our webcams. I-580 Freeway Extension a Priority for State Transportation BoardThe I-580 Freeway Extension Project is one of several high-priority projects to receive major funding from state issued bonds, according to the Nevada State Transportation Board. The Board voted unanimously on May 27, 2004 to issue $390 million special obligation bonds to fund major highway projects in Nevada, including I-580, over the next two years. To read the related article printed in the Reno Gazette-Journal Online, click here. Pleasant Valley Neighbors Talk about the Project - Reno Gazette-Journal ArticleAn RGJ article printed May 19th, 2004 discussed the work progressing on the I-580 Freeway Extension Project. Several Pleasant Valley residents impacted by current construction efforts were interviewed for the article. Interviewees were in support of the project, noting the safety measures and convenience that the project brings as a much-needed alternative to US 395. To read the related article printed in the Reno Gazette-Journal Online, click here.
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November 3, 2003 - Former Nevada Governor Kenny C. Guinn, State Senator Bill Raggio, Jim Thornton of the Nevada State Transportation Board, Retired NDOT Director Tom Stephens, and Greg Krause of the Regional Transportation Commission were a few of the special guests celebrating the long-anticipated start of construction for the I-580 Freeway Extension Project. Jeff Fontaine, NDOT Director, served as the master of ceremonies welcoming the guests and marking this significant milestone aimed at completing I-580 in Washoe County between Carson City and Reno.
The primary reason for I-580 improvements is a concern for safety. The current use of U.S. 395 by motorists travelling through Pleasant Valley is considered one of the worst safety hazards in the state. Currently, an estimated 40,000 vehicles a day use U.S. 395, an undivided, four-lane highway with at-grade, unsignalized intersections. In addition to being a regional route for traffic between Reno and Carson City, U.S. 395 serves as a local connector highway for residential areas through Steamboat Hills, Pleasant Valley, and Washoe City. The completion of I-580 will allow travelers seeking a more direct passage to Carson City to drive on a six-lane, limited access freeway equipped with full-width shoulders, turnarounds for emergency vehicles, pullouts for snow chain assembly, and other safety features.
Throughout the execution of this project, NDOT consulted with a variety of stakeholders to develop a freeway sensitive to the local environment and natural landscape. The project’s Stakeholder Working Group has met since 1998 to provide input on the project from the perspective of neighborhood leaders, community groups, environmental groups, businesses, and other civic organizations. Dick Newans a long time Stakeholder Working Group member was in attendance to share in the project’s milestone.
This project has received strong support from Governor Guinn, who played an influential role in marking the project as a state priority, and ensuring transportation funds. “This project will make this important highway link safer and less congested,” said Governor Guinn. “It is part of the largest road building program in Nevada’s history.”
The current phase of construction, referred to as Package A, is a $79.5 million dollar project including constructing four bridges on the west side of U.S. 395 as part of the 8.5 mile freeway from Mt. Rose Highway to the north end of Washoe Valley. Due to the project’s immense size and complexity, it was divided into two phases of construction called packages. The prime contract for Package A was awarded to Edward Kraemer & Sons, Inc., who will construct the first phase of northern Nevada’s largest road construction project. Package B is scheduled to begin Fall 2005.
NDOT and Governor Guinn have prioritized the I-580 Freeway Extension Project as one of the top four transportation projects in the state. As such, it is on an accelerated schedule, which should allow motorists to be able to drive on the completed freeway by 2008.
The Honorable Governor Guinn to Attend the I-580 Freeway Extension Project Groundbreaking Ceremony – Monday, November 3, 2003
A groundbreaking ceremony marking the start of construction of the I-580 Freeway Extension Project is scheduled to be held on Monday, November 3, 2003 This ceremony is a major milestone in this project to complete the final link of I-580 in between Reno and Carson City in Washoe County. Local project stakeholders, the NDOT project team, state agencies, Federal agencies, local agencies, and countless community members have worked cooperatively to advance this project to the point of construction. The groundbreaking ceremony will honor the work completed to date and mark the start of construction.
Governor Guinn has played an influential role in ensuring state transportation funds for this project. During the January 2003 State of the State address, Governor Guinn identified the I-580 Freeway Extension as one of the State’s top four priority projects. With Governor Guinn’s support, the I-580 Freeway Extension Project will begin to take shape over the next several years to address this critical transportation connection.
Prime Construction Contract Awarded to Edward Kraemer & Sons, Inc.
Edward Kraemer & Sons construction company has been awarded a $79.5 million dollar contract as prime contractor of the I-580 Freeway Extension Project first phase, Contract 3148. Edward Kraemer & Sons is based in Plain, Wisconsin with significant project history and presence in the western U.S. as well. Edward Kraemer & Sons is new to NDOT and was also recently awarded an NDOT contract for the Nevada approach to the new Hoover Dam Bypass Project near Las Vegas.
Notice to Proceed on construction has been scheduled for November 17, 2003. The contractor selection process began last summer when NDOT finalized the project's design and prequalified contractors to ensure their expertise for complex construction of the Galena Creek Bridge and other elements of the project. With these items complete, the project went to bid for the first phase of construction on June 12, 2003. For more information on NDOT’s selected contractor, Edward Kraemer & Sons, please view their website at www.edkraemer.com.
Freeway Construction Set to Begin November 2003!
Construction on the final portion of I-580 in Washoe County is set to begin in November 2003. Due to the project’s size and to allow multiple opportunities for involvement by various construction firms, it has been divided into two phases of construction, referred to as packages.
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Package A (Contract 3148) includes the two big bridges, Galena Creek Bridge and Brown's Creek Bridge and also the bridges crossing over St. James's Parkway and Parker Ranch Road. This package will also include portions of the retaining walls around the bridge abutments and construction of Parker Ranch Road and Kelly Canyon Road (the new frontage road) to provide local access in lieu of Joy Lake Road which will be severed.
Package B consists of the remainder of the project. The most significant activity of Package B is grading and paving for the 8.5 miles of freeway between the Bowers Mansion Interchange and the Mt. Rose Interchange. Also included are three additional bridges, completion of the Mt. Rose Interchange and construction of the new interchange at the Bowers Mansion cut-off.
Construction will begin on Package A (Contract 3148) in November 2003 with work on Package B planned to begin Fall 2005.
Safety Enhancements
An important element of the freeway design is ensuring the facility will operate and be maintained in a safe and efficient manner. The project team has included turnarounds for maintenance and emergency access, chain-up areas, facilities to handle snow, accommodations for bridge and roadway anti-icing and deicing, and incident access for emergency crews. Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) and Road Weather Information Systems (RWIS) are included in the facility design. These systems may include variable message signs and other methods of monitoring traffic and providing information to travelers, and weather monitoring stations to provide NDOT maintenance crews with up-to-the minute weather information.
Project Schedule
